trailer level when towing

I have a Crossroads 2010 26RK.

My springs were originally attached using the bottom hole in the shackle.
I had a trailer place move it to the top hole in the shackle. He also made a shackle for the equalizer as it has to lowered or the axles will be "out of plane". In my case the equalizers were replaced because they were cracked. Seems like the wrong size ones were originally used.

This should raise your trailer around 2" and is fairly inexpensive.

As said the final answer is if the weights on the two axles are close.

Another issue is rear trailer clearance especially when going in and out of gas stations that have dips between the station and the roadway. I have seen some that are a challenge for a standard automobile much less a 35 ft 5th wheel.

As to whether it is alright depends on the trailer axle weights. I am about 2" nose high with my 5er, but less than 100 lb difference between front/rear trailer axle weights. Both of my trailer axle weights are below axle/tire load ratings....so for me, I figure I'm good to go. YMMV.

rjeffr wrote:
I am trying to find out how level a trailer must be when towing. I tow a crossroads 26 ft. fifth wheel with a ford F350 short bed dually and a superglide hitch. When I hook up, the trailer rides approximately 2" nose high. Is this enough to transfer too much load to the rear axle of the trailer? If so, axles are already under the springs, is there any good solution to changing the ride height of the trailer or the pickup?

My trailer is riding about 2" nose high also, I have about 7" clearance so I hope to not change my set-up.

bobx2 wrote:

Francesca Knowles wrote:
It's my understanding that unlike with torsion axles, leaf sprung axles equalize the load between them if the trailer's off level.

I could be wrong; I'm sure that if so someone will post and say so!

I too would be curious to know if that is the case. The center mounting point is called an equalizer, so it would seem that the purpose would be to equalize the load on both axles. I would imagine that in an extreme case there would be different loads, but a couple of inches, I don't know. It's tough to get them level with the height of todays trucks.

Easiest way to find out is to weigh the 5'er. I run 1" high and have weighed both axles. 50lbs difference. I can't say if it's from the nose being 1" higher or just the way it's loaded. Either way it's a wash in my book.

Francesca Knowles wrote:
It's my understanding that unlike with torsion axles, leaf sprung axles equalize the load between them if the trailer's off level.

I could be wrong; I'm sure that if so someone will post and say so!

I too would be curious to know if that is the case. The center mounting point is called an equalizer, so it would seem that the purpose would be to equalize the load on both axles. I would imagine that in an extreme case there would be different loads, but a couple of inches, I don't know. It's tough to get them level with the height of todays trucks.

If you have enough clearance from the tops of the bed rails to the trailer, you could possible adjust the hitch, and/or pin box to level it out. I like 6"+ to be safe.

It's my understanding that unlike with torsion axles, leaf sprung axles equalize the load between them if the trailer's off level.

I could be wrong; I'm sure that if so someone will post and say so!

Our new truck sags 3" when I hook up, but the trailer is still 1" high from being level, so I'm not going to put air bags on the truck. Good thing we don't drive at night when we are RVing and pulling the trailer.

How much clearance between the top of your truck bed and the trailer? Newer trucks have crazy deep beds.
Jim